Blog: Swinton - from high street hero to high street heartbreak
Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift reflects on Swinton's latest branch closures and puts it in some historical perspective
“The main business dealt with by the shops is insurance renewal. With most people preferring to use the phones these days, the stores only deal with 20% of our business, and it is declining.”
These words were reported by myself – then a cub reporter, a month into my career on Insurance Age’s sister title Post – in 1998 in reference to an AA spokesman commenting on the closure of all 142 of its shops, two years after shutting 100.
Tensions
I dug this out to illustrate that tensions between high
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk.
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
More on Personal
News analysis: Acquisitional independent brokers are on the rise, but are they any different to consolidators?
Whilst larger international and private equity backed-brokers might get the most headlines when it comes to mergers and acquisitions, they are not the only firms looking to buy. Martin Friel looks at the emergence of a host of smaller independent companies which are looking to supplement their organic growth with the odd dabble into M&A.
Close Brothers bringing in written consent rule on commercial broker premium finance commission
Close Brothers will require consent from commercial customers for broker commissions for premium finance as of Monday 25 November.
Covéa promises brokers faster access with CDL home insurance tie-up
Covéa Insurance has promised brokers faster access to products and effective pricing as it launched its home insurance business on CDL’s Insurer Hosted Pricing hub, Insurance Age can reveal.
Second quarter of motor premium falls in a row – ABI
The average motor insurance premium fell by 2% in July to September to £612, according to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers, the second consecutive quarterly drop.
EY revises insurer income growth forecasts but trend remains down
EY has released improved premium income forecasts for UK non-life insurers but maintained its view of slowing growth in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Aviva lifts the lid on young person social media ghost broking epidemic
One in three young drivers have purchased car insurance from ghost brokers selling invalid or fake policies on social media platforms, according to an Aviva survey.
DLG to cut 550 jobs as it targets £100m of savings
Direct Line Group has started consultations with staff as part of a proposed reduction of about 550 roles, it announced today.
Video Q&A: Hiscox head of private art and private clients Robert Read
Following the High Net Worth Forum, which was held on the 7th November in London, Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift caught up with sponsor Hiscox’s head of art and private clients Robert Read, to discuss the state of the market.